Method and device for operating a machine

Abstract

A machine consumes a consumable material during operation, which consumable material can be provided in material units, wherein the machine can be operated in at least one first operating mode, in which the consumable material is consumed. A material unit comprises an identification unit with at least identification data, wherein the identification data is read and is checked to determine whether the identification data can be associated with a predeterminable release data set. The machine is operated in a first operating mode when the identification data can be associated with the release data set.

1. A method for operating a machine, which consumes a consumable material during operation, which consumable material can be provided in consumable means units,
 wherein the machine can be operated in at least one first operating mode, in which the consumable material is consumed, 
 wherein a consumable means unit comprises an identification unit with at least identification data, 
 wherein the identification data is read and is checked to determine whether the identification data can be associated with a predeterminable release data set, 
 wherein the machine is operated in a first operating mode when the identification data can be associated with the predeterminable release data set, and 
 wherein the machine is switched to a second operating mode, in which operation is not possible, when the identification data cannot be associated with the predeterminable release data set. 
 
     
     
       2. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the machine is a packaging machine, and the consumable material is packaging material. 
     
     
       3. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , in which, when the identification data cannot be associated with the release data set, the machine is constructed and arranged to carry out a non-release registration process. 
     
     
       4. The method as claimed in  claim 3 , in which the non-release registration process comprises at least one of the following processes:
 a) storage of data relating to an entry into an particular operating mode despite non-release; 
 b) incrementation of a counter in order to count the operation in the particular operating mode despite non-release, and 
 c) signaling of the entry into the particular operating mode despite non-release. 
 
     
     
       5. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the identification unit comprises a readable data store. 
     
     
       6. The method as claimed in  claim 5 , in which the identification unit comprises at least one of the following units:
 a) a data store which can be read optically; 
 b) a data store which can be read electromagnetically; and 
 c) a data store which can be read mechanically. 
 
     
     
       7. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the identification data is read without making contact. 
     
     
       8. The method as claimed in  claim 7 , in which the identification unit comprises at least one transponder. 
     
     
       9. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the identification data comprises at least one of the following information items:
 a) data relating to a seller of the consumable means unit; 
 b) data relating to existing licensing agreements between the seller and a purchaser; 
 c) data relating to the purchaser of the consumable means unit; 
 d) data for customizing a respective consumable means unit; and 
 e) data relating to the quality of the consumable means unit. 
 
     
     
       10. A device for operating a machine which consumes a consumable material during operation, which consumable material can be provided in consumable means units, comprising means for reading identification data from an identification unit which can be fitted to, on or in a consumable means unit,
 wherein control means are provided, are connected to the means for reading identification data and check whether the identification data can be associated with a predeterminable release data set, and which switch the machine to (i) a first operating mode, in which the consumable material is consumed, when the identification data can be associated with the predeterminable release data set, and (ii) a second operating mode, in which operation is not possible, when the identification data cannot be associated with the predeterminable release data set. 
 
     
     
       11. The device as claimed in  claim 10 , in which the means for reading identification data emit and/or receive electromagnetic radiation. 
     
     
       12. The device as claimed in  claim 10 , in which the means for reading identification data interact mechanically with the identification unit. 
     
     
       13. The device as claimed in  claim 10 , in which means for reading identification data operate without making contact. 
     
     
       14. A packaging machine, comprising:
 a device which consumes a consumable material during operation, which consumable material can be provided in consumable means units, including means for reading identification data from an identification unit which can be fitted to, on or in a consumable means unit, 
 wherein control means are provided, are connected to the means for reading identification data and check whether the identification data can be associated with a predeterminable release data set, and which switch the packaging machine to (i) a first operating mode, in which the consumable material is consumed, when the identification data can be associated with the predeterminable release data set, and (ii) a second operating mode, in which operation is not possible, when the identification data cannot be associated with the predeterminable release data set. 
 
     
     
       15. The packaging machine as claimed in  claim 14 , which is a machine for wrapping items to be packaged in film. 
     
     
       16. The packaging machine as claimed in  claim 14 , which is a banding machine for banding items to be packaged with strip. 
     
     
       17. A consumable means unit, comprising:
 a consumable material; and 
 at least one identification unit fitted to, on or in the consumable material, each identification unit being arranged to be (i) read by means for reading identification data and (ii) checked by control means whether the identification data can be associated with a predeterminable release data set thus causing a machine to switch to (i) a first operating mode, in which the consumable material is consumed, when the identification data can be associated with the predeterminable release data set, and (ii) a second operating mode, in which operation is not possible, when the identification data cannot be associated with the predeterminable release data set. 
 
     
     
       18. The consumable means unit as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the consumable material is formed by one of a film and a strip. 
     
     
       19. The consumable means unit as claimed in  claim 18 , comprising a sleeve as a winding core, which comprises a transponder as the identification unit. 
     
     
       20. The consumable means unit as claimed in  claim 18 , comprising a transponder as the identification unit. 
     
     
       21. The consumable means unit as claimed in  claim 18 , in which identification units are applied periodically and are based on optical identification.